Cutting machine



June 1944.

Filed Nov. 2, 1942 W. R. SPILLER ET AL CUTTING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS ,1. U. 4

ATTORNEYS June 6, 1944. w. R. SPILLER ET AL CUTTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 2, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 mm W W BY Q5035 J1me 1944- W. R. SPILLER ET AL.

CUTTING MACHINE Filed NOV. 2, 1942 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 e72 534 75gb HYEYS June 6, 1944- w. R. SPILLER ET AL CUTTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 2, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 6, 1944. w, sPlLLER ETAL 2,350,540

CUTTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 2, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS ATTORNEYS June 6, 1944. w. R. SPILLER ETAL CUTTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 2, 1942 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 2 2 .L 7 H H 5/ H ll 1 lmww lflnwl lmwp 1 L Hun uuhhmwmmuwmm m fi H Hw wum H w 7 5 w M/ij m ATTORNEYS June 6, 1944. w. R. SPILLER ET AL CUTTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 2, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 4/4 w? $1 QT NM vh M I H INVENTORS ATTORNEYS Patented June 6, 1944 CUTTING MACHINE William R. Spiller and Leo D. Barley,

Dayton,

Ohio, assignors to I-larris-Seyb'old-Potter Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application November 2, 1942, Serial No. 464,216-

18 Claims. (01. 16454) This invention relates to cutting machines and more particularly to machines for cutting sheets of paper material and the like.

It is the principal'object of the invention to provide a machine for cutting a pile of sheet material such as sheets of paper, which is adequately protected against injury to the operator as well as against damage to the machine itself and which in operation is rapid, accurate and produces sharply cut straight edges without injuring or defacing the pile of sheet material.

It is a further object to provide for holding the sheet material with a predetermined and readily adjustable pressure so that no undesired movement of the pile may occur during the cutting operation.

It is also an object to so mount the knife that it is readily removable for sharpening and the like and is easily adjustable to provide for maintaining the same in proper angular positioning and in proper spacing above the cutting table for its performance of the cutting operation.

It is a further object to provide a readily adjustable gage for determining the depth of the material to be out which is easily adjustable and securely held against movement from a predetermined position and which likewise can be readily adjusted to provide a desired angle of tilt.

It is a still further object to provide a safety control mechanism necessitating a definite and predetermined sequence of control movements preparatory to placing the machine in operation thus assuring the operator against accidental orunintentional operation of the machine.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawing and the appended claims.

' In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of the front or operators side of a cutting machine constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a skeleton view in front elevation of the working parts of the mechanism which produce the reciprocating movement of the knife and the operation of the clamp member;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view from the righthand end of the machine showing the same mechanism as in Fig, 2;

Fig. 4 is a similar end elevational view from the left-hand end of the machine shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a detail view on an enlarged scale showing the construction of the non-reverse mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2 showing the eccentric adjustment atthe connecting rod end of the knife bar;

Fig. 7 is a front elevational view of this eccentric adjustment;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on the line 8-8 of Fig. 2 showing the eccentric construction at the opposite end of the knife'bar;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view through the knife bar and knife assembly showing the manner of securing the knife-in place;

'Fig. 10 is a view on an enlarged scale showing the construction of the heads of the knife bolts;

Fig. 11 is a broken plan view looking down on the cutting table and the back gage showing the construction for adjusting the position of the gage;

Fig. 12 is, a front elevational view of theadjustment for the back gage and for clamping the same in predetermined position;

Fig. 13 is a detail view on an enlarged scale looking down on the line |3|3 of Fig. 12 showing themanner of clamping the back gage;

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view of the back gage showing the rear supporting roller thereof;

Fig. 15 is a broken view showing the eccentric construction of the back gage roller;

Fig. 16 is a broken view showing the interlock and control mechanism for effecting engagement of the clutch and the actuation of the machine on a cutting stroke;

Fig. 17 is a broken side elevational view of the same control mechanism shown in Fig, 16;

Fig. 18 is a vertical sectional view substantially on the line l8--l8 of Fig. 17 showing the detailed construction of the interlock and safety mechanism; and

Figs. 19, 20 and 21 are similar detail views showing the interlocking mechanism in various positions to illustrate the interlocking function thereof.

Referring to the drawings which disclose a preferred emobdiment of theinvention, the machine is shown in a general perspective view in Fig. 1 and as there shown is provided with an operator's position at the front or working side of the machine where the work supporting tabk I0 is readily accessible for the placing and removal of the work. The various control members which will be described hereinafter are likewise conveniently located for ready access and in a protected position beneath the work table. The mechanism is enclosed and protected by outer enclosing panels indicated at l I, certain of which, [2 and I3, are made removable to provide access for adjusting the various parts of the mechanism.

The knife bar is shown at l5 to which the knife I6 is secured, and'extending below the lower edge of the knife in the raised position which the parts occupy in Fig. 1, is the clamping memis adapted to run continuously during the time to a clutch and brake indicated,diagrammatically at 28 adapted to be controlled by a'clutch lever shaft 28, the driven side of clutch being pressure, however, is established upon the pile erably controlled by a start and stop switch but the machine is in use. It is connected directly connected to pinion 21 meshing with compound gear 28 having a pinion 38, so that upon actuation of the clutch lever 28, power fromthe driv-v ing motor will be connected to or disconnected from the pinion.

Pinion 88 meshes with a large bull gear 32 which as shown in Fig. 1'7 is carried by shaft 83 which is joumaled in a portion'of the frame 84, this bull gear thus"constituting-;.the direct drive means for the operating mechanism. A crank arm 35 is secured to the same shaft 38 which supports the bull gear, and by means of this crank the reciprocating ,movement' of the knife is effected. V

For this purpose a pitman 38 is connected between the crank 35 and a'rock arm 31 which is freely rotatably mounted upon cross pin 38, connection being through pin 88. A connecting rod 40 extends upwardly from pin 39 where it has connection with a guide block 42 carried by one end of the knife bar IS. The guide block is arranged to slidein the inclined guideway 44 which determines the path of movement of the right-hand end of the knifebar: (as shown in Fig.2). a

At the opposite end of the knife bar, a second'guide block 45 similarly slidable in inclined guideway 41 to determine the position occupied by the left-hand end of the knife bar in the course of its reciprocating movement. Pref- .as soon as the clamp comes into engagement therewith, and is maintained effective through- 'out the entire working stroke of the knife and until the knife has passed above the upper edge of the pile on its return stroke. Pressure is only removed during the final portion or the working cycle, after the knife has again returned to a position above the clamp, so that at all times during which the knife in contact with the pile, the desired pre'dete ined full clamping pressure is. maintained upon the pile.

In order to accomplish this, the clamp I8 is operated by means of pull bars 58 which pivot slightly on pins 52 in the yoked end portions IQ of the clamp which are guided in vertical ways 53 (Figs. 3 and 4). At their lower ends, bars are attached to hell cranks 54, the left-hand crank being pivoted on a fixed pin 55 suitably carried in the frame of the machine. The righthand crank is mounted for free rotation on shaft 38, and is spaced axially of the rock arm 81 in the manner shown in Fig. 3. At their lower ends, the bell cranks are joined by a connecting rod 58 so that they are required to move in unison with each other, thereby applyingequal pressures to and establishing parallel movement of the opposite ends of the clamp, adjusting nuts 51 providing for setting the rods to so operate in unison. For the purpose of counterbalancing the weight of the clamp and to cause it to returnzsite end abutting against a stationary bracket' 60. Under the action of this spring, therefore,

the connecting rod 58 is constrained to move toward the left, and in this direction to effect'the lifting of both ends of the clamp.

erably theangles of inclination of the two guides I4 and 41 are slightly different and diverging as I the knife bar moves downwardly, so-that the knife is' caused to assume a position parallel with the work table when it is in its lowermost position, but has the right-hand end raised slightly above the left-hand end when retracted. This provides a double shearing action, since the knife enters the work material at an angle and does not cut in direct parallelism-with the sheets of work material. By reference to Fig. 3, it will also be clear that since the connecting rod" acts directly in the plane of the knife, the downward pull exerted thereon does not tend to pro.- duce any side thrust, and the knife accurately follows a direct vertical movement at all'" times.

Suitable stationary guides are provided on opposite sides of the knife bar, one of which is in-' dicated at 48, for guiding the knife bar in this desired plane of movement.

, The clamp l8 as described occupies a position which is somewhat below that of the lower edge of theknife when in-the upper retracted position at the end of the working stroke. and both the clamp and the knife move downwardly together at the beginning of the stroke so that the clamp comes in contact with the pile of work material before theknife reaches the sa e. There- --In some cases it is desirable to provide for the manualv operation of the clamp, irrespective of the operating cycle of the machine. For this purpose a foot operated treadle 82 is rotatably mounted upon a shaft 63 fixed in stationary supports 84, and urged toward upper position by means of a coil spring 85. The treadle is connected by means of connecting rod 86 to a finger 61' rotatably mounted on pin 55, and having a nosc part 68 which overlies the lower end of the left-hand pull bar 50, in position to apply pressure thereto when the treadle is depressed,

to thereby overcome the action of spring 58, and to drop the clamp downwardly upon the work material.

In order to provide *a force for pressing the clamp downwardly upon the top of the pile, and for retaining such force throughoutthe major part of the working stroke of the machine, a compressible or resilient means is provided in which energy may be stored at a point in the working cycle which will not place an excessive load upon the driving elements, and be available for retaining the clamp in desired clamping position. In accordance'with the invention this compressible means is preferably one or more compression springs which are compressed toward the end In this way the application of additional load on the drive during the time that the knife is passing through the Work material is avoided, while at the same time a clamping pressure is developed and made available which reaches its full desired value before the cutting operation begins, and is maintained at that value throughout the cutting stroke and until the knife has cleared the pile of material on its return stroke.

For this purpose a heavy spring 18 is mounted in the lower part of the frame through which passes a rod 1 and suitably supported by means of a fixed bracket 12, the spring working against such bracket at one end. At its other end the spring engages a collar 13 which is slidable along rod H and which carries a cross pin ll having engagement in a notch in lever arm 15. Arm I5 is bifurcated and is freely rotatably mounted on shaft 38 receiving the right-hand bell crank 54 between its two arms, and is provided with a laterally projecting side arm 16 which overlies rock arm. 31. Arm 31 is provided with a pressure pad TI and is adapted to engage side. arm 16 when the arm 31 is rocked into the upper end of its path of travel, the action'of the spring normally being to retain the side arm 16 in contact with the pressure pad 11.

The lower end of bifurcated lever is provided with a pressure pad 88 which extends into the path of movement of the lower end of the bell crank 54, movement of lever 15 in a counterclockwise direction therefore c'arrying bell crank 54 with it and producing a direct downward movement of the clamp.

In the operation of the device as thus constructed, the parts are shown in Fig. 2 in the relation in which they occupy at the end of a stroke, and in position to begin a subsequent cutting stroke. As shown the pitman 35 is practically on the center line between the crank 35 and the connecting pin 39. Thus although spring 18 istending to movelever 15 counter-clockwise, and that pressure is applied through the side arm 16 to pressure pad 11 of rock arm 31, it has substantially 'no effect with respect to tending the pile, the full effect of spring 18 is transmitted to the clamp, so that the full desired predetermined pressure is exerted upon the top of the pile even before any contact of the knife with the pile has taken place. As the motion of the crank 35 continues, the knife will be then pulled down through the pile to cut the same, but there is no delay in establishing the desired clamping pressure, and no additional load is imposed upon the drive connections during .the time that the load on the knife itself is at a maximum.

As the cutting stroke is completed and the knife returns on its up stroke, it will pass above the upper level of the pile and the clamp before pressure pad 11 is rocked back far enough to engage arm 18, thus assuring that the knife has cleared the pile before the full predetermined pressure is released. Thereupon, during the latter part of its working stroke, rock arm 31 picks up lever 15 and rotates it in a clockwise direction, against the compressive action of spring 10 and hence a load is applied to the drive means in connection with removal of. the clamp pressure but only at a time when the total load is at a small value and the addition of this particular load can have no effect so far as the cutting stroke of the knife is concerned.

It is likewise found desirable in many cases to provide for readily changing the force with which the clamp is urged toward the work material, and to vary such force over relatively wide limits. For this purpose it is preferred to provide more than one pressure spring, a second spring being shown at 8| on rod 82, arranged parallel with spring 18, and likewise provided with a pin 83 and collar 84 for engaging lever 15. Each rod is provided with a notch one of which is shown at 88 and a sleeve 81 is adapted to be engaged over the end of the respective rods to bear against the end of the collars l3 and 84, respectively. Sleeve 81 carries an arm 88 adapted to seat in ,notch 88. and to be removably held therein by to cause movement of the crank, and the drive a mechanism is held in stationary condition by the action of the brake above referred to. The parts in this position are thus stable and stationary, and in the absence of actuation of foot treadle 82, spring 58 retains the clamp |8 in its upper withdrawn position where it projects downwardly a short distance below the edge of the knife.

As the working stroke of the machine begins, the crank rotates in the direction of the arrow or counter-clockwise, with the result that the knife moves downwardly under the action of its connecting rods by the force thus imparted. At the same time, pressure pad 80 on lever I5 engages the lower end of bell crank 54, and thus efiects concurrent rotation of the bell crank and pull rod assembly, overcoming the relatively small force-of spring 58 and thus moving the clamp simultaneously downward along with the knife.

As the clamp engages the top of the pile, its further movement is arrested, and consequently further rotation of lever 15 is thereby terminated. When this occurs the rock'arm 31 is free to continue its downward path of movement under the action of crank 35 thus continuing the downward stroke of the knife, while leaving the force of lever 15 applied entirely through pressure pad 88 to the clamp assembly.

It will thus be clear that even before the knife has progressed far enough to engage the top of means of a snap clip 89. Rollers a are carried by lever 15 adjacent the lower surfaces of sleeves 81 respectively to provide for supporting the respective right-hand ends of the spring assemblies when the sleeves are in place. Springs I8 and 8| as well as 58 are located in the same vertical plane, that plane including also the connections for actuating the clamp, so that there.

are no side forces to produce lateral displacement of the clamp. Further the plane in which the clamp mechanism is located is adjacent and preferably parallel with that in which the knife and its actuating mechanism are located, a compact arrangement being thus secured and the operating forces being kept inthe respective vertical planes avoiding the creation of lateral forces.

As a result of this construction, either or both of the springs 18 and 8| can be quickly rendered efiective or ineffective as desired, at the end of any stroke of movement. As shown in Fig. 2, spring 18 only is effective upon the clamp. Thus at the end of the stroke with the parts in the position shown in Fig. 2, lever I5 has been forced to such position that spring 8| is compressed.

01 locked inplace'as actually shown in Fig. 2,

collar 83 can be moved by spring 8| only against sure to the clamp. By suitably selecting the force of the two springs, such; as for example one developing a force of 2000 pounds and the other a force of 4000 pounds, it is obvious that through'the arrangement described a force can be selected for application to the clamp of zero, 2000, 4000 or 6000 pounds. It will be understood that these figures are given as illustrative only, and further that one, two or more of such spring arrangements can be utilized as desired. R-emoval of panel I2 provides direct and easy access for effecting any changein the arrangement of sleeves 81 as may be desired.

In order to assure against any undesired, unexpected reverse movement of the knife such as might permit the dropping of the knife downwardly toward the cutting table, means are included for checking any reverse travel immediately that such movement begins to take place. As shown inFig. 5, adjacent the periphery of bull gear 32 a pivot pin 30 is secured in the frame and on this pin is mounted a blocking arm 9I having a nose piece 9Ia adapted to engage in the teeth of the bull gear to positively prevent rotation thereof. To control the action of the blocking arm, a friction plate 924s secured to the end of the arm and adapted to bear against the side of gear wheel 32 so that inresponse to normal forward movement of the gear, the friction tends to lift the nose piece out of blocking engagement, rotating movement of the blocking'arm being limited by-stop pin 93. However, upon incipient reverse travel of the bull gear, the friction on plate 02 tends to pull it in the. opposite direction, thereby causing nose piece 9Ia to engage in the gear teeth 32, this being the position illustrated in Fig. 5. As a result any tendency toward reverse movement is immediately stopped and positive assurance against such undesired movement is thereby provided.

Because the knife is subject to substantial wear and-must be sharpened, its position with respect to the table must be adjustable and in is made for readily adjusting both the elevation of the knife with respect to the cutting table, and for assuring that the knife occupies a desired level position at the bottom of its stroke. For this purpose, adjustable eccentric connectons are provided at either end of the-knife bar, the construction and operation of which will nowbedescribed.

Referring toFigs. 6, 7 and 8, Figs. 6 and 7 show the construction of the eccentric at the right-hand end of the knife bar, 1. e., the end to which connecting rod 40 is secured. As there shown, connecting rod rides on' a bearing 33 which is carried by an eccentric block 94, the eccentric being rotatable with respect to the knife bar I5. A stud 95 is threaded into the block 90 and pinned thereto by means of cross pin 06, the head of the stud having flat faces thereon providing for the attachment of awrench for the purpose of turning the eccentric block in the knife.

bar. A front plate 91 is pinned to the eccentric block by means of pin 38 so that the plate rotates with the block, the plate being provided with an outer concentric slot 99. A bolt I00 is secured in knife bar I and extends: outwardly through the slot 39 providing for limiting the extent of sleeve 81, but is thereafter ineffective upon lever I5, spring I0 alone being effective to apply presrotation of the "eccentric assembly to approximately 180 and for securing the eccentric in any desired position of adjustment. g

The eccentric 04 is also provided with a rearwardly extending nose piece I02 which is received within the slide block 42 the latter being guided in the stationary guides II. It will be clear from the above that as a result of the rotation of the eccentric block, the p'osition of the knife, bar I5 with respect to the connecting rod will be changed, and the knife bar will be similarly shifted upwardly or downwardly with;

respect to the guide block 42. This has the effect of raising or lowering the entire knife bar, since it is obvious that any raising or loweringof the right-hand end of the bar requires 9. corresponding travel of thefree opposite end, thus adjust;

ing the level of the knife and knife bar but with- .out changing the angularity thereof.

At the opposite end of the'knife bar I5 is located a similar eccentric;l05 which likewise receives a stud I06 which ispinned thereto by means of cross pin I01 and which has adjusting head I00. A face plate I00 is pinned to the eccentric by pin H0 and is formed with a similar slot I II through which extends the fasten-- ing bolt II2 by'means of which the eccentric can 'be held in any desired position of adjustment.

- at the bottom of its stroke, the cutting table accordance with the present invention provision being shown at I0, and having a groove th The rear nose section Ill extends through guide 46 which guide block is supported in the stationary guide 41.

In response to rotation of the eccentric at the left-hand end it will be clear that the effect is analogous to changing the length of the knife bar between its points of connection and because the right-hand' end is fixed by reason of guide 44 and rod 40, this results in a change in th angle of inclination at which the knife bar is supported in the fixed guides. Access to the eccentric is provided through removable cover plates I3 located at their end of theimachine and it will be clear that by suitably adjusting first one and then the other eccentric, the knife and knife bar may readily be made to occupy a desired level and in predetermined parallel relation with the cutting table as desired.

Fig. 9 shows the arrangement of the knife in the lowermost position of its travel. It is desirable to avoid contact of the sheets of ma-' terial which have been severed with any proected portions of the knife supporting assembly,

since to do so may cut or damage the edges of the material or interfere with the free movement of the knife. provide for adjustably positioning the knife in the knife bar and to make provision for wear of the knife and the shortening of the length of the blade thereof in the cutting direction while at the same time providing for adequately securing the knife in its assembled position.

It is found, for example, that the angle of bevel of the knife, indicated in Fig, 9, is' relatively limited, that is, that it must fall within quite narrow limits in order to provide for the most effective cutting action without producing excessive drag. Thus a suitable angle for this purpose has been found to be approximately 26. In accordance with the present invention a novel construction is provided for removably securing It is, however, necessary to .eriy' securing the bolt in place, the usual the knife upon the knife bar through the provision of a securing means which does not extend above the projection the bevel of the knife and hence is out of he path traversed by the sheets of material as they are out. In Fig. 9 the path of movement of the cut sheets is clearly indicated, the beveled face I20 of the knife performing the entire work of shifting the pile progressively forward its it advances downwardly. It is desirable that such work be accomplished through the knife bevel and not by contact of the sheets of material with the knife bar itself. v

For this purpose the knife bar I is provided on its forward face with a series of recesses "I which are apertured as shown at I22 to receive bolts I23 therein. On the rear side, the knifebar has a groove I25 and a shouldered part I26 against which the upper edge of the knife is adapted to. bear in order to absorb the thrust of the knife. As the knife wears, an auxiliary thrust block I21 may be interposed iir this groove between the knife and shoulder--I2- I The knife is provided with-a series of apertures at diflerent levels, each of which is threaded and one group of which is adapted to receive the bolts I23 to hold the knife in place in the groove. A washer I28 is seated under the bolt head, the entire bolt head being relatively shallow in depth sothat at no point does it project outwardly beyond the projection of the bevelof the knife, and-hence liesinwardly of the stack of sheetmateriahwhich follows along this pro- Theforward sprocket and the hand wheel I43 are rotatably supported in a bracket I44 fas-= tened to the under side of the table. It is thus .clear that upon rotation of member I43 the ber in predetermined position, a-fixed friction block I 46 is positioned adjacent one side of the flexible chain I40 and a cooperating friction block I4! is located on the opposite side thereof. An eccentric shaft I48 is received within cooperating recesses in the block I41 and cap I49 which is bolted thereto by means of bolts I50, shaft I48 having a lower extending part to which a gripping handle I5I is secured. As a result of the turning of handle I5l, the eccentric shaft supported in bracket I44 causes the adjustable friction. element I41 to be pressed into gripping engagement with the sprocket chain which is gripped between blocks I46 and I41. This provides a secure lock for holding the chain and through it the gage in predetermined fixed position. When resetting of the back gage is desired, handle I5I is turned to free the sprocket chain which may then be adjusted through hand wheel I43, and readily and sejectedl bevel line. ,In order to provide for prop-.

rovision of a bolt head has been found to give-insufficient gripping area for tightening the bolt,

and the-head is accordingly provided with axially extending serrations I29 around the periphery ;there of. Thus by the application of asuitable wrench to; the serrated surface, adequate force may bedeveloped upon the bolt. to fasten and secure the knife in place, while the bolt itself and other parts of the knife bar assembly are ,rnaintained thepile.

inwardly of the line of contact with Back gage'22 is adjustable toward and away Q frbni l the knife for the purpose of varying the depth of cut, and it is important to provide for adjustment of the positioning of the back gage by control means which is located in a readily accessible position at the operators end. of the machine, while at the same time assuring that the back gagewill be securely held in predetermined adjusted position, resisting any tendency to move as the pile of sheet material is placed thereagainst or removed therefrom. It is important to maintain this position of the back gage with a high degree of accuracy, and to provide a re-' leasable clamp or holding means therefor which does not have loose play or permit shifting of the gage after it has been set.

The construction which provides for this control of the position of the back gage is shown in Figs. 11 to 13 in which the gage 22 is shown as being movable across the upper face of the cutting table I0. Such movement is produced by means of a flexible connecting means I40 which preferably takes the form of a sprocket chain, trained around a rear sprocket I4I andwaround a forward sprocket I42. The forward sprocket is connected to be rotated with the hand wheel I43 which. is positioned directly below the cutting table I0 and the outer periphery of which extends forwardly beyond the edge of the table.

angle of tilt between the upright face of the back gage and the plane perpendicular to the cutting table. To provide for such adjustment toward and away from the vertical, the back gage 22 is fitted with rollers I55 at its rearmost point, these rollers being adapted to travel over the surface of the cutting table to support the rear end of the gage. Each roller is mounted on an eccentric shaft I56 which carries an adjusting head I51 having suitable index marks thereon to provide for the turning of the eccentric and the setting of the position thereof to a desired point on either side of the gage and to thus afford proper and even lift of the rear end of the gage to establish the inclination as desired.

In the operation of the cutting machine as herein described it is necessary for the operator to reach under the raised cutting knife in order to position and remove the work material upon the cutting table. It is therefore desirable to .provide an effective interlocking construction- -quence of movements on the part of the operator, thus overcoming, any possibility of the mechanism, being tripped and placed in operation by accidental contact with the controls or by any unexpected movement other than a defi-, nite operating sequence performed by the operator.

In order to provide .a positive stop for the knife, 2. safety bolt I60 is carried by the frame 34, being formed with a shaft portion I6I extending through an aperture suitably formed to support the bolt, and also carrying a guide pin I62 similarly extending into an aperture in the frame to prevent undesired rotation of the safety bolt. As-shown in Figs. 17 and 1a. the I safety bolt has a flanged forward face I6; which in its operative or blocking position projects directly into the path of travel of the crank 35,

and when in this positionwill positively stop movement of the crank during the initial part of its'working stroke and thus assure against having the knife drop while the operator's hands are within range. Preferably a frangible safety ring is provided in the drive mechanism for the crank at a suitable point so that when the crank strikes this safety bolt, the safety ring will rupture without producing any damage to the mechanical parts of the device. A preferred construction for such shear pin is shown in copending application Serial No. 392,592 assigned to the same assignee as this application. Frame 36 is provided with a recess I66 intowhich the face I63 of the safety bolt I66 is adapted to seat, thereby occupying a clearance .or non-interfering position with respect to the crank 35. I

In order to control the operation of the ma- 'chine, a pair of handles I66 and I 61 are provided,

the use of the left-hand control I66 being optional, but being preferred in order to require a definite positioning of both hands of the operator before the machine can be tripped. Handle I66 issuitably associated with the control of the clutch so that where its use isdesired, it is necessary to depress or move that handle before ac tuation of the clutch can take place. The details of such mechanism need not be further shown in this application.

Handle I61 is mounted for pivotal movement in a substantially vertical plane about clutch control shaft 28. As will be clear from the showing in Figs. 16 and 17 shaft 28 carries a clamping collar I68 which has 9. depending lever portion I16 above which is supported an extending arm "I. Such arm also carries a vertically extendthe flange In so that, as shownin Fig. 1a. the

latch element I61 to ride thereon when the safety bolt is, withdrawn to its non-interfering position. when the bolt is moved outwardly to its blocking or interfering position, however, spring I66 snaps the yoke and the latching. part I61 behind bolt is then looked in itsinterfering position and cannot be moved axially until the latch has been withdrawn.

. In order to provide for shifting of the safety belt from one position to another, a cam surface I66 is formed uponthe side face of bull gear 32, this cam surface cooperating with the end of the shaft I6I to move the safety.- bolt into a blocking position. The location of the cam is such that this movement takes place at substantially the end of the operating cycle of. the machine, so that when such cycle is completed, the safety bolt has been positively advanced to an interference position which it retains in the absence of further actuation of the control mechanism.

Return movement of the safety bolt to a clearance positionis effected by downward movement of the control lever I61, which carries a sleeve I92 at the lower end of lever I 18, said sleeve being received over an operating pin I93 which fits into a cupped recess I96 in the. forward face of the safety bolt. For normal operation, the sleeve I92 is locked in direct operative relation with rod I93 by means of an auxiliary locking lever I65 having a nose piece I96 which fits into cooperating notches I91 formed in the sleeve and rod respectively. A spring I98 is received within the sleeve and bears against the end of rod I93, such spring being normally ineffective during the time that the sleeve and the rod I93 are secured together by locking pin I96. However, if lever I95 is actuated to'disconnect the sleeve and the rod I93, it is then possible to depress operating conthis pivot pin providing for displacement or movement thereof in a substantially horizontal plane. Thus the entire lever and lower Projecting arm assembly may rotate about the horizontal axis of clutch shaft '28, and in addition the lever 4 itself is rotatable about the vertical axis of pin Meansare provided for preventing initial direct downward movement of lever I 61 such as to cause rotation og'clutch shaft 28. This means comprises a detenfi I15 which is mounted in a, suitable guide I 16 carried b the frame of the machine and yieldably urged by spring I11 to position directly below the arm of lever-I61. The. detent has a flat upper face and a beveled-lower face I18. The arm I1I is formed with an upwardly extending end ection I88 in which there is located a spring I urge the operating end of lever I61 toward the notched face of the detent, so that it is prevented thereby from moving downwardly. l

The opposite end I83 of lever I61 is adapted to engage a sliding yoke I85 which is suitably carried by frame 36 and with which a resilient memtrol lever I61withoutactuating the safety bolt away from its interfering position. The nose I96 01 lever I96-is normally urged upwardly to be maintained in looking position by leaf spring I66.

The operation of this control is as follows: At the end of each operating stroke and prior to the I actuation of the controls for a succeeding cycleof operation, the safety bolt'has been moved to I interfering position substantially as shown in Fig.

I15, the only movement possible is a lateral movewhich tends to normally ment about the vertical axis I13.- Under such movement, the operating end I83 engages yoke I85 and withdraws it from latching position in back of flange I63, thus shifting it from the position shown in Fig.18 to the position shown in Fig. 19. Thereafter the handle I61 can be actuated downward and in so doing rotation is imparted to shaft 28 which effects the operation 01' the clutch to engage the same and start rotation of the bull gear 32 and the crank35. At the same time, if the auxiliary handle I66 is provided, it is also actuated to position to release shaft 28 and thereby provide for such actuation of the chltch. Simultaneously with the downward movement of handle I61, sleeve I 92 moves forwardly and pin I93 engages in the cup I96 to move safety bolt I68 out of its interfering position and into recess I64 so that it is in a clearance position which permits crank 35 to pass across the same. At this point-the operator releases the handle I61, which is then shifted about the axis I13 under the 'ly therewith rocking the sleeve I92 and lever I10 as well as control arm I61 about the axis of clutch shaft 28. The clutch is thus actuated to disengaged position, cutting oil the source'of driving til after said knife has left the material on its return stroke, means for applying full predetermined pressure to said clamp means throughout its contact with the work, and means'for selectively disabling said pressure applying means to render said means ineffective for applying pressure to said clamp means on subsequent working strokes.

' 2. A cutting machine of the character described power, suitable brake means being concurrently f v actuated to stop the operation and hold the machine against drifting. As the lever I61 is thus raised from its depressed to its upper position, it rides against the cam face I18 of the detent I15, latching over the same when it is finally entirely lifted so that it then occupies the initial position in preparation for a subsequent operating cycle. Thus undesired or accidental bumping or shifting of the control handle I61 is rendered ineffective with respect to tripping the machine, and an operating cycle of the machine can take place only upon a predetermined definite sequence of operations on thepart of the operator. Further a safety bolt is provided in the direct drive connection so that unless this operation is performed in the desired manner, unexpected or undesired movement of the knife is positively prevented,

On occasion it may be desirable to provide for the closing of the clutch while the safety bolt is still in interfering position, such as to provide for the jogging of the mechanism in a limited travel before actual contact of the crank and the safety bolt occurs. Under these circumstances handle I95 is raised against the action of spring I99 to disconnect the operating connection between the sleeve I92 and the rod I93 whereupon with the safety bolt in' the position shown in Fig. 17,. handle I61 may be depressed through the compression of spring I98. Since this is a special operation whichrequires the operator to perfornbi a separate step in the actuationof control handle I95, not only are his hands occupied, but the difference in the operation of the normal control 10 comprising a cutting table adapted to support the work material to be cut, a knife, 9. driving member, means for engaging said driving memher and said knife to actuate said knife with a reciprocating movement to effect a cutting stroke thereof with respect to. the work material on said table, clamp means for applying a predetermined pressure to the work material during'the cutting stroke of said knife, means for moving said clamp means into contact with said work material before the knife contacts the work on its cutting stroke and for retaining said clamp in contact therewith until after said knife has left the material on its return stroke, means for applying full predetermined pressure to said clamp means throughout its contact with the work, means actuated from said driving member during the return stroke for withdrawing. the action of said pressure applying means, and means operable at the end of any working stroke for selectively disabling said pressure applying means to render said means ineffective for applying pressure to said clamp means on subsequent working strokes.

3. A cutting machine of the characterdescribed comprising a cutting table adapted to support the work material to be cut, a knife, a driving member, means for engaging said driving member and said knife to actuate said knife with a reciprocating movement over a working stroke ,to effect the cutting of the work material on said table, clamp means for applying pressure to the 1 work material to be cut during the cutting operameans with said clamp means to provide for applying a holding pressure to said pile on the cut- I ting stroke of said knife, and means operable at handle I61, which is now required to overcome the force of spring I98 before the clutch can be closed, is suflicient and adequate to warn him not to allow his hand to come in the path of the knife. Thus the complete safety protection of the machine against injury is maintained in this condition as well as in normal operating condition.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

- 1. A cutting machine of the character described comprising a cutting table adapted to support the work material to be cut. a knife, a driving member, means for engaging said driving member and saidknife to actuate said knife with a reciprocating movement to effect a cutting strokethereof with respect to the work material on said table, clamp means for applying a predetermined pressure to the work material duringthe cuttingstroke of said knife, means for moving said clamp means into contact with said work material before the knife contacts the work on its cutting stroke and for retaining said clamp in contact therewith unthe end of the working stroke for rendering said compressible means ineffective to apply pressure to said clamp means and for connecting said compressible means with said driving member for restoring the energy thereof.

4. A" cutting machine comprising a cutting table adapted to receive a pile of work material to be cut, a reciprocable knife operable through a working stroke for cutting said pile of material on said table, drive means for reciprocating said knife, a clamp for applying a clamping pressure to said pile of material during the cutting stroke, a plurality of resilient means tending to urge said clamp into clamping relation with, said pile, means actuated from said drive means during the return stroke of the knife for rendering said resilient means ineffective withrespect to said clamp means and for restoring the effectiveness thereof upon the subsequent forward stroke of the knife, and means operable between working strokes for selectively retaining one or more of said resilient means in said ineffective condition upon subsequent working strokes.

5. A cutting machine comprising a cutting table adapted to receive a pile of work material to be cut, a reciprocable knife operable through a working stroke for cutting said pile of material on said table, drive means for reciprocating said knife, a clamp for applying a clamping pressure tojsaidpile oi material during the forward cuttingstroke, counter-balancing means for effecting the raising .of said clamp above said table, resilient means terbalancing means and to urge said clamp into said clamping relation, means'actuated from said drive means during the return stroke of the knife for compressing saidresilient means to render said resilient means ineffective with respect to said clamp and. for restoring the effectiveness thereof upon the subsequent forward stroke of adapted to overcome said coun-.

for cutting. said material onsaid table, means in the plane of said knife for reciprocating said knife, a clamp for applying a clamping pressure to said pile of material during the cutting stroke,

a plurality of resilient means tending to urge said clamp into clamping relation with said pile, said resilient means and said clamp means being iothe knife, and selectively 'operable-means for locking said resilient means in compressed position to render said means'ineifectiveto actuate said clamp means upon subsequent working strokes. u 4 v .6. A cutting machine comprising a cutting table adapted to receive a pile of work material to be cut, a reciprocable knife operable through a working. stroke for-cutting said pile of materiaLon 'said table, drive means for reciprocating said knife, a clamp for applying a clamping pressure to said pile of material during-:the-forward cutting stroke, a plurality-of resilient-members adapted toapply diflerent clamping pressures to said clamp, means actuated"-ffrom said drive means during the return stroke of the knife for-- rendering said resilient means ineifective with cated in a common plane adjacent and generally parallel with "that of said knife, means for locking said resilient means in compressed position to render the same ineffective upon said clamp means, and means operated by said drivemeans during each'working stroke thereof for placing said resilient means in compressed condition providing for selective actuation of the locking means associated with each of said resilient means to predetermine the pressure applied to said pile therewith.

10. A cutting machine comprising a cutting table adapted to receive a pile of work material thereon, a reciprocable knife, drive means for actuating said knife in a working stroke to cut the material on said table, an inclined guide adjacent each end of said knife for causing the respective ends thereof to travel in predetermined paths during said reciprocating movement, a connecting -rod secured to one end of said knife means for effecting actuation thereof, an adjustrespectto said clamp means and for restoring the effectiveness thereof upon the subsequent forward stroke of .the knife, and means for selectively locking each of said resilient members inscompressed position to render a locked. member ina effective uponsaid clampv means upon subsequent Qwo'rking strokes and thereby predetermine the .pressure, applied to said clamp means.

, =7. A. cutting machine ofthe character deibed comprising a cutting table adapted to re-.

ceive a ,pile of work material to be cutfa reciprocable knife operable through a working stroke fol-(cutting said material on said table, mean for a reciprocating said knife, a clamp for applying a clamping-pressure to said pile of material during the -cutting stroke, resilient means tending to urge said clamp into clamping relation with said 'ispile, means-for locking said resilient means in "r'aompi'emed position to render the same ineffectiveupdn said clamp means, and means operated by sesam means dm'ing each working stroke thereof for placing said resilient means in comable eccentric connection between said connecting rod and said knife providing for adjusting the level of said knife with respect to said cutting table at the bottom of its stroke of movement, an adjustable eccentric between the other end of said knife and its associated guide for adjusting the angle which the knife means makes with said cutting table, and means on each eccentric con-' nection for effecting adjustment thereof and for retaining the .same in predetermined adjusted position.

11. A cutting machine of the character described comprising a cutting table adapted to receive a pile of work material to be cut, a reciprocable'lrnife, a rotating drive gear, a crank operated by said drive gear for causing reciprocating movement of said knife, a blocking member for preventing reverse rotation of said drive gear pressed condition providing for selective actuation of the locking means associated therewith.

8, A cutting machine of the character described comprising a cutting table adapted to.

receive a pile of work material to be cut, a re-. clprocable knife operable through a working stroke for cutting said material on said table,

and said knife said blocking member having a part adaptedto engage in the teeth of said gear to stop rotation ,thereof, pivotal means for mounting said blocking memberproviding for movement thereof from its said blocking position to a clearance position out of contact with said gear teeth, and a friction plate'secured to said means for reciprocating said knife, a clamp for applying a clamping pressure to said pile of material during the cuttingstroke, a plurality of resilient means tending to urge said clamp into clamping relation with said'pile, means for locking said resilient means in compressed position to render'the same ineffective upon said clamp means, and means operated by said drive'means during each working stroke thereof for placing said resilient means in compressed condition providing for selective actuation of the locking means associated with each of said resilient means to predetermine the pressure applied to said pile therewith; I 1

9. A 'cutting ;machine of the character described comprising a cutting table adapted to receive a pile of workmaterial to be out, a reciprocable knife operable through a working stroke member adapted to frictionally bear against the side of said gear to retain said member in clearance position during forward rotation of said gear and to effect movement thereof'into blocking position upon initial reverse rotation thereof.

12. A cutting machine comprising a cutting table adapted to support a pile of work material thereon, a reciprocable knife for cutting said material, a back gage in the rear of said knife material, a back gage in the rear of said knife for determining the spacing of the material with respect to the knife, a control member located at the front of the machine and accessible to the operator for effecting adjustment of said back gage, flexible connecting means extending from said control member to said back gage to control and determine the spacing thereof, a friction block for gripping said flexible connecting means, and a manually operated lever having an eccentric part for forcing said block into gripping engagement with said flexible means.

14. A cutting machine comprising a cutting table adapted to support a pile of work material thereon, a reciprocable knife for cutting said material, a back gage in the rear of said knife for determining the spacing of the material with respect to the knife, a control member located at the front of the machine and accessible to the operator for effecting adjustment of said back gage, flexible connecting means extending from said control member to said back gage to control and determine the spacing thereof, rollers carried by said back gage spaced rearwardly of the gaging face thereof for supporting the rear of said gaging member from said cutting table as said gage in moved to different spacing positions, and adjustable eccentrics for mounting said rollers in said gage providing for adjusting and predetermining the angle of tilt of the face of said gage with respect to said table.

15. A cutting machine comprising a cutting table adapted to receive a pile of work material thereon, a reciprocable knife, drive means for actuating said knife in a working stroke to cut the material on said table, an inclined guide adjacent each end of said knife for causing the respective ends thereof to travel in predetermined paths during said reciprocating movement, a connecting rod secured to one end of said knife means for effecting actuation thereof, an adjustable eccentric connection between said connecting rod and said knife means providing for adjusting the level of said knife with respect to said cutting table at the bottom of its stroke of movement, and an adjustable eccentric between the other end of said knife means and its associated guide means for adjusting the angle which the knife means makes with said cutting table in any part of its working stroke.

16. A cutting machine comprising a cutting table adapted to receive a pile of work material to be cut, drive means, a reciprocable knife for cutting the work material on said table, a crank connected to said knife and operated from said drive means for causing reciprocation thereof, a safety bolt movable into the path of said crank for positively stopping the travel thereof and preventing further movement of said knife, means operated by said drive means toward the end of said reciprocating movement for moving said safety belt into the path of said crank to prevent undesired repeat operation thereof. latch means movable into a latching position for preventing withdrawal of said bolt from its said interfering position, a manually operable control lever, means actuated by movement of said' control lever in one direction for effecting withdrawal of said latch means, and means operable upon movement of said control in a different direction for moving said safety bolt out of the path of said crank, and means preventing movement of said control means in said second mentioned direction until after it has been moved in said first mentioned direction.

17. A cutting machine comprising a cutting table adapted to receive a pile of work material to be cut, drive means, a reciprocable knife for cutting the work material on said table, a crank connected to said knife for causing reciprocation thereof, a clutch for connecting and disconnecting said drive means and said crank, a safety bolt movable into the path of said crank for positively stopping the travel thereof and preventing further movement of said knife, latch means movable into a latching position for preventing withdrawal of said bolt from its said interfering position, a manually operable control lever adapted to effect engagement of said clutch, means actuated by movement of said control lever in one direction for withdrawing said latch means, means operable upon movement of said control lever in another direction for effecting engagement of said clutch and for moving said safety bolt out of the path of said crank, means for preventing movement of said lever to cause clutch engagement until after it has been moved to effect release of said latch, and means operated by said drive means toward the end of the stroke of said knife for moving said safety bolt into interfering relation with said crank and for simultaneously restoring said control lever to its neutral position where said clutch is disengaged.

18. A cutting machinev comprising a cutting table adapted to receive a pile of work material to be cut, drive means, a reciprocable knife for cutting the work material on said table, a crank connected to said knife for causing reciprocation thereof, a clutch for connecting and disconnecting said drive means and said crank, a safety bolt movable into the path of said crank for positively stopping the travel thereof and preventing further movement of said knife, latch means movable into a latching position for preventing withdrawal of said bolt from its said interfering position, a manually operable control lever adapted to efiect engagement of said clutch, means actuated by movement of said control lever in one direction for withdrawing said latch means, means operable upon movement of said control lever in another direction for effectin engagement of said clutch and for moving said safety bolt out of the path of said crank, means for preventing movement of said lever to cause clutch engagement until after it has been moved to effect release of said latch, means operated by said drive means toward the end of the stroke of said knife for moving "said safety bolt into interfering relation with said crank and for simultaneously restoring said control lever to its neutral position where said clutch is disengaged, and means interposing a yieldable connection between said clutch and said safety bolt providin for intentional actuation of said lever to cause engagement of said clutch with said safety bolt in interfering position.

WILLIAM B. SPILLER. LEO D. HARLEY. 

